Carroll Ray Crawford, 81, of Our Lady of Hope Nursing Home in Richmond, and formerly of Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Saturday, August 2, 2014 at the nursing home.

He was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia on March 6, 1933, a son of the late George Kempton Crawford and Erna Estelle Akers Crawford.

He was a retired foreman from the electrical department of Westvaco Corporation in Covington with over 34 years of service.

He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church in Clifton Forge.

For many years he enjoyed his camp on the Cowpasture River at Sharon.

He served in the United States Army from 1953 until 1955 during the Korean War.

He is survived by his wife Mary Lou Hoover Crawford of Richmond; a daughter, Mary Jane Kanode and husband, the Rev. Roy Kanode of Roanoke; two sons, Richard Ray Crawford of Clifton Forge and David Crawford and wife, Kathy of Richmond; a brother, James Crawford of California; 9 grandchildren, Patrick Ray Crawford, Amanda Kanode, Steven Kanode, Austin Kanode, Michael Crawford, Emily Crawford, Ashley Crawford, Caitlin Crawford and Jack Crawford; a great granddaughter Mayah Crawford; a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ellen Cox and Mary Vina Morrison and by a brother, Bob Ryland Crawford. A graveside funeral service will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. from Alleghany Memorial Park with the Rev. Roy Kanode officiating. Interment will follow.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home in Clifton Forge.

The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions in Mr. Crawford's name to Alzheimer's Association, Blue Ridge Chapter of Virginia, 2728 Colonial Avenue, S.W., Suite 2, Roanoke, Virginia 24015.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.